The
intensive and continuous nationwide campaign conducted by Confederation of
Central Govt. Employees & Workers, the unparalled mobilization of workers
in agitational programmes culminating in massive Parliament March and one day
strike on 12th December, 2012 , subsequent declaration of strike
ballot for indefinite strike has compelled the Central Govt. to announce the
constitution of 7th Central Pay Commission, ahead of the Assembly
and Parliament election. NFPE being the major affiliate of Confederation has
played a leading role in all these agitational programmes and hence we can
proudly say that Seventh Pay Commission is an outcome of our struggle. Thus the
first phase of agitation comes to a successful end.

Now the most
important part remains. Govt. has announced the Pay Commission but has not
disclosed its mind on other related issues such as date of effect, merger of DA
with pay, inclusion of Gramin Dak Sevaks, Interim relief, pensionary benefits
to those recruited on or after 1.1.2004 etc. Secretary, Department of Personnel
and Training (DOP&T) has called the JCM staff side for a discussion on the
terms of reference of the 7th CPC on 25th October , 2013 and heard the view points of
the staff side. The leaders of various organizations of the JCM staff side met
on 26 October, 2013 and formulated a consensus proposal regarding the terms of
reference of the 7th CPC. In the case of date of effect, even though
the stand taken by confederation is 1.1.2011, taking into consideration the
view points of other organizations a compromise formula of 1.1.2014 as date of
effect is arrived at i.e. from the 1st January after the
announcement of 7th CPC by the Government. Regarding DA merger,
interim relief, pensionary benefits to those entered in service on or after
1.1.2004 etc also an agreed formula has
been worked out.

Regarding the
most important demand affecting 50% of the employees of the Postal Department
i.e, inclusion of Gramin Dak Sevaks under the purview of the 7th
CPC, unlike in the past, this time there is total unanimity among the
staffside. In the staffside proposal regarding terms of reference to be
submitted to the Govt., it will be clearly mentioned that the three lakhs
Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Postal Department should be brought under the purview
of the 7th Pay Commission.

We are not
demanding any mercy from the Govt.The Hon’ble Supreme , Court of India, in the
case of P.K.Rajamma Vs Union of India, has made it clear without any ambiguity,
that Extra-Departmental Agents (now GDS) are holders of civil posts and hence
they are civil servants under Article 309 of the Constitution. Further, the
Fourth Pay Commission in its report has also made the following observation:-

“The matter is,
however, beyond controversy after the decisions of Supreme Court in Gokulanda
Das’s case (also called as P.K.Rajamma’s case) where it has been declared that
an Extra-Departmental agent is not a casual worker but ‘holds a post under the
administrative control of the “state’’ and that while such a post is outside
the regular civil service, there is no doubt that it is a post under the
‘’state” ’. In view of this pronouncement, we are unable to accept the contention
that Extra- Departmental employees are outside the purview of the terms of
reference of our Commission.”

Again, Justice
Charanjit Talwar Committee, subsequently appointed by the Govt., recommended
that ED Agents have to be included within the overall class of civil servants,
being holders of civil posts. The committee further made it clear that there is
no rationale to keep them separately as “a class within the class” of central
govt employees which is against the provisions of Article 14 & 16 of the
Constitution of India.

It is in this
background, NFPE & confederation has demanded for inclusion of Gramin Dak
Sevaks under the purview of 7th CPC and conducted one day’s strike
on 12.12.2012. Now that the entire JCM staffside also agreed to raise the same
demand, we hope that the govt. shall concede the demand of entire 30 lakhs
central govt. employees and include the GDS under the terms of reference. In
case, the govt rejects our demand, there is no other way but to go for
indefinite strike.

The postal Joint
Council of Action comprising all the unions/ associations affiliated to NFPE
& FNPO, has met at Delhi on 19.10.2013 and has decided to go for indefinite
strike, if the govt. refuses to accept our demand for inclusion of GDS under
the purview of 7th CPC and also regularization and revision of wages
of casual labourers.

NFPE calls upon
the entirety of Postal and RMS employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks to be
ready for an indefinite strike for the cause of three lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks
and the casual, part time, contingent employees who are the most exploited and
down-trodden class of the Postal Department and the entire Central Govt.
Services.

REVISION OF 1/3RD COMMUTED PENSION PORTION OF PENSION IN RESPECT
OF GOVERNMENT SERVANTS WHO HAD DRAWN LUMP SUM PAYMENT ON ABSORPTION IN CENTRAL
PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS/CENTRAL AUTONOMOUS BODIES-IMPLEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT'S
DECISION ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 6 THE CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION.CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

GRANT OF GRADE PAY OF RS 1800 TO GROUP D /MTS WHO RETIRED/EXPIRED
FROM SERVICE AFTER 31-08-2008 WITHOUT HAVE BEEN IMPARTED TRAININGCLICK HERE FOR
DETAILS

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

1.

Minutes of the meeting held
on 23-10-2013under the Chairmanship of Member (O) regardingimplementation of MNOP and L-1/L-2 System.

Inpursuance of the meeting held on 02/08/2013 under the Chairpersonship of
Secretary (P) to discuss the issues raised by Postal JCA, a meeting was held
with the staff side under the Chairmanship of Member (O) on 23-10-2013.
Following were present in the meeting.

2
On the issue of revised norms for CRCs,
it was brought to the notice of staff side that the norms fixed for different
operational activities at Speed Post Hubs, Intra-circle Hubs and CRCs are based
on the recommendations of work Study Team of the Directorate. The issue of
productivity norms as well as establishment norms have also been clarified to
all concerned vide Dte. O.M.No. 28-8/2011-D dated 13-08-2013. Therefore, the
issues stands settled now. It was decided to supply a copy of Work Study Report
to the staff side.

3The issue regarding shifting/transfer of staff from L-1 office to L-2
office and vice versa was discussed with staff side andthe staff side was satisfied with the
circumstances under which the staff was transferredfrom L-1 office to L-2 office in Gujarat
Circle. The issue , is therefore, stands settled.

4. The staff side requested
that more L-1 offices were needed in some Circle. In response , it was informed
that requirement of more L_1 offices was examined and it was felt that any more
L-1 offices not needed in view of the following:

(i)
All L-1 and L-2 mail offices located within a Circle have been allowed to close bags for each other.

(ii)Circles have been given enough exceptions in
terms of closing of bags by mail offices based on volume of mail.

In
view of the above, the issue of identification /creation of L-1 /L-2 offices
stands settled. It was decided to supply a copy of list of exceptions granted
to L-2 offices for closing of direct bags to the staff side.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Sunday, October 27, 2013

DRAFT
TERMS OF REFERENCE 7th CPC:

Finalized by the
Staff Side at the meeting of 25.10.2013.

A.
To examine the existing structure of pay, allowances and other
benefits/facilities, retirement benefits like Pension, Gratuity, other terminal
benefits etc. to the following categories of employees.

1 Central Government employees – industrial and non industrial;

2 Personnel belonging to All India services;

3 Personnel belonging to the Defence Forces;

4 Personnel called as Grameen Dak Sewaks belonging to the Postal Department;

5 Personnel of Union
Territories;

6 Officers and employees of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department;

7 Officers and employees of the Supreme Court;

8 Members of Regulatory bodies (excluding RBI) set up under Act of
Parliament.

B. To work out the comprehensive revised pay packet for the categories
of Central Government employees mentioned in (A) above as on 1.1.2014.

C. The Commission will determine the pay structure, benefits
facilities, retirement benefits etc. taking into account the need to provide
minimum wage with reference to the recommendation of the 15th Indian
Labour Conference (1957) and the subsequent judicial pronouncement of the
honorable Supreme Court there-on, as on 1.1.2014.

D. To determine the Interim Relief needed to be sanctioned immediately
to the Central Government employees
and Pensioners mentioned in (A)
above;

E. To determine the percentage of Dearness allowance/Dearness Relief immediately to be merged with Pay and pension

F. To settle the anomalies raised in various fora of JCM.

G. To work out the improvements needed to the existing retirement benefits, like pension, death cum
retirement gratuity, family pension and
other terminal or recurring benefits
maintaining parity amongst past, present and future pensioners and family
pensioners including those who entered service on or after 1.1.2004.

H. To recommend methods for providing cashless/hassle-free Medicare
facilities to the employees and Pensioners including Postal pensioners.

The members of the National Secretariat of the Confederation
available at New Delhi met on 23rd Oct. 2013 and again on 24th
October, 2013 to discuss and formulate our views on the 7th CPC
terms of Reference. On the basis of the
discussions, we prepared a draft terms of reference and submitted it for
consideration of the Staff Side. The
important points we placed in our draft for the consideration of the staff side
were:-

(a)
The Commission to examine the present structure of pay and
allowances and suggest changes.

(b)
To give effect to its recommendations from 1.1.2011 i.e. wage
revision must be after every five
years.

(c)
D.A (50%) to be merged with pay with effect from 1.1.2011.

(d)
To determine Interim relief taking into account the erosion in the
value of wages over the years,

(e)
To include GDS within the ambit of the 7th Central Pay
Commission.

(f)
To revise the retirement benefits and accord pension maintaining
parity in quantum in respect of past, present and future pensioners.

(g)
To extend the statutory defined benefit pension to those who have
entered service after 1.1.2004.

(h)
To settle the anomalies raised in various fora of JCM on a priority
basis and within a specified time frame.

(i)
To provide cashless/hazzle free Medicare to employees and
pensioners.

The Government
of India had convened a meeting of the Staff side representatives on 24.10.2013
to discuss the terms of reference. The
meeting took place at 3.00PM on 24th under the Chairmanship of Secretary,
Personnel. Besides the points mentioned above,
the staff raised many other matters connected with the setting up of the CPC. viz.
the inclusion of labour Representative as a Member of the Commission; the
anomalous situation brought about by the
Grade pay based MACP Scheme; the requirement of a mechanism to settle the 6th
CPC related anomalies; the need to allow
the proposals of Cadre Review to be examined by the Government independently
without referring it to CPC; to have members
in the Commission who have gained expertise to impart to the Commission the
nuances and functional requirements of various Departments; to relook at the new Pay Structure brought in
by the 6th CPC in the light of the experience between 2008 to 2013
etc. In conclusion the staff side
requested the Government to provide it with a draft terms of reference taking
into account the views placed by them.
It was also proposed by the Staff Side that on exchange of the draft
terms of reference prepared by the Staff Side and the Official Side, a meeting with the Secretary,
Personnel and Secretary, Expenditure could be arranged to iron out the
differences, if any.

The Staff Side
met again on 25th at its office and deliberated upon various views
presented by different organisations and finalised the draft terms of reference.
We shall publish the said draft terms of reference as and when the same is
submitted to the Government.

It is obvious
that despite the unanimous position taken by all the organisations, the
Government may not necessarily agree with many of the basic issues, viz. Date
of effect, merger of DA, Interim Relief,
Coverage of GDS etc. We appeal to our
affiliates/ State COCs to continue the campaign amongst the employees to generate
necessary sanctions.

Orders reinstating into service Com. S.C.Jain Ex-Circle Secretary P3 NFPE Madhya Pradesh Circle who was compulsorily retired from service for trade union activities, issued today asper the direction given by Directorate to the CPMG.

NFPE and P3 CHQ has taken up the case with Secretary, Department of Posts. This is the great victory of NFPE in the fight against trade union victimization.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

DISCUSSION
WITH MEMBER (OPERATIONS)

ON MNOP AND
L1, L2 RELATED ISSUES DATED 23.10.2013

On 23.10.2013, Member
(Operations), Postal Services Board, Shri. Kamaleshwar Prasad, held discussion
with Staff side on MNOP and L1, L2 related issues. Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary
General NFPE, Com. Giriraj Singh, General Secretary, R3 (NFPE), Com. P. Suresh,
General Secretary R-4 (NFPE), Com. Devender Kumar, Circle Secretary, NUR-3
(FNPO) Delhi Circle attended the meeting Com. D. Theagarajan, Secretary General,
FNPO & General Secretary NUR-3 (FNPO) could not attend the meeting due to
sudden illness. A joint note of NFPE & FNPO was presented to the Member
(O). The following are the outcome of the meeting. Minutes will be published
later.

(1)Modifications in the norms fixed for
CRCs.

Official side informed that the norms are fixed as per the
scientific work study conducted by Directorate in the field units. Further
Directorate has issued an order on 13.08.2013 in which it is clarified that – Establishment
norms for “Sorting of Articles” has been fixed as 0.079 minute per article
(i.e. 760 articles per hour). However time factor for productivity pertaining
to sorting of articles would continue to be 0.063 per article (i.e; 950
articles per hour).”

Staff side demanded reduction in number of article for productivity
also. Staff side want change in norms for scanning and other items mentioned in
their letters submitted earlier. Finally it is decided to give copy of the work
study conducted by Directorate to the staff side. Staff side shall submit
concrete proposal with scientific basis with supporting facts and figures
justifying their arguments. Based on the staff side proposal Directorate will
re-examine the case.

(2)Administrative jurisdiction of Speed
Post Hubs (SPH)

Official side reiterated that powers for deciding the
administrative jurisdiction was already given to Chief PMGs. It is upto the
Circle Unions to discuss the case at Circle level and settle the deserving
cases. Staff side pointed out that in many Circles Chief PMGs are not ready to
accept the views expressed by the Circle Unions. Finally it is decided that (1)
As a first step Circle Unions should discuss the cases with Chief PMGs in
formal meetings and get a reply in writing from the Circle Administration
showing the reason for not accepting the demand of the Circle union and then
staff side may submit a note to Directorate justifying their stand in each case
with reference to the Stand taken by Chief PMGs. After that Directorate shall
review each case. Discussion with CPMGs in the formal meetings and getting a
reply with reasons, is a must.

(3)L1 Status to more L2 offices

The proposal submitted by staff side will be examined.
Staff Side may discuss the cases at circle level also so that Chief PMGs may
submit proposal to Directorate in deserving cases. The details of the case by
case examination already conducted by Directorate will be made available to the
staff side.

(4)Discontinuance of closing “NIL” bags

The proposal of
the Staff side will be considered in a positive manner and detailed examination
of the case will be done.

(5)All other issues raised in the staff side note
will be examined in detail by the Directorate and action will be taken.

(6)The orders issued by the Karnataka Circle
Administration implementing unilateral increase in norms in FMC from 7000 to
9000 in BG City RMS/1 and from 11000 to 13000 in BG City RMS/II in violation of
Directorate orders was discussed. Member (O) agreed to issue instructions to
CPMG not to violate Directorate orders.

Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training
will hold discussion with JCM National Council, Staff Side today (24.10.2013)
at 3 PM. Meeting of the Staff side will be held at 11 AM to formulate the staff
side approach. Confederation available National Secretariat members met on
23.10.2013 in the presence of Com. S. K. Vyas and finalized the draft terms of reference
of Confederation. Details will be published after the meeting with Secretary,
DOP&T.

(c) Grant
of 50% DA merger to all employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks.

2. Reviewed the arrangement made for conducting the
inaugural ceremony of the year long Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of NFPE on 24th
November 2013. The Venue of the function will be MP’s club Hall, North Avenue,
Near NFPE office, New Delhi. The function will be arranged at 4 PM. Leaders and
other member of NFPE and Leaders of fraternal organizations will be invited to
the function.

3. Reviewed the arrangement made for the successful
conducting of the GDS Parliament March on 11th December 2013 under
the banner of AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) Decided to extend full support to make the
programme a historic success.

4.
Decided to ensure participation of delegates as
per quota fixed from all the affiliates of NFPE in the All India Trade Union
Education Camp organized by Confederation at Mumbai on 15th & 16th
November 2013. NFPE Circle Union shall raise maximum funds for meeting the
expenditure for accommodation of NFPE delegates. For other details please see
websites. Delegate fee is Rs. 600/- per delegate.

5. Decided to ensure maximum participation of lady
delegates on the All India Women’s convention of Confederation to be held at
New Delhi on 25th & 26th November 2013. Accommodation
is being arranged by Reception Committee. As the weather will be cold in Delhi,
all delegates are requested to bring warm clothes also. Delegate fee is Rs. 600/-
per delegate. For other details please see websites.

6. Decided to extend all support to the newly
formed “All India Postal & RMS Pensioners Association” under the leadership
of Com. D. K. Rahate, Chairman (Ex-President, NFPE) Com. Narasimhan, Vice
Chairman (All India Vice President, Confederation and Ex-NFPE) and Com. K.
Raghavendran, General Convener (Ex-Secretary General, NFPE). It is decided that
all Circle/Divisional unions of NFPE affiliated unions shall make special
efforts to form the Divisional/District/circle branches of the Pensioner’s
Association in a phased manner before the end of December 2013.

7. Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General,
Confederation and NFPE will be attending the Trade Union Congress organized by
“Southern Initiative on Globalization and Trade Union Rights (SIGTUR)” at Perth
(Australia) from 2nd to 6th December 2013.

8. See the decision of the Central JCA meeting
(NFPE & FNPO) held on 19.10.2013, published separately.